SUNRISE, Fla. — This wasn’t the ending Blake Wheeler deserved, but it’s certainly the end result the Rangers deserved.
Looking at the scores, Paddy Tutts led 3-2 in overtime with two power play goals, including one by Wheeler in the penalty box by Sam Reinhart at 1:12, and another goal three seconds after the Blueshirts had pulled one back, so you might think the Blueshirts were just about holding on against a desperate opponent.
That’s wrong.
Because after the best 20 minutes of the first period for the Blueshirts in the series, or even the entire tournament, they caved. They were outplayed. They allowed their opponent to mount one numerical advantage after another. They held on for most of the final 41 minutes, holding a 15-12 edge in the first period and leading 1-0 before losing the attempt, 59-14, after a 5-on-5 first period.
This wasn’t just about being physically defeated, it was about being dramatically defeated.
“There’s going to be those ups and downs. We were happy with how we did in the first period, but we knew they were going to come out fighting to keep it up and we had to step up our game,” forward Jacob Trouba said. “We were more on our toes in the first period, but then we really had to turn our heels on the next game.
“When I go back to New York, I have to catch up to that level.”
This East clash for a spot in the Cup Finals is a best-of-three series with Game 5 set for Thursday at the Garden. Home ice means nothing unless Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibagint and Chris Kreider can provide some notable scoring, and home ice means nothing unless the Rangers can upset Florida’s 5-2 special teams lead.
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He knows it will be an uphill battle, with Zibanejed facing bigger, stronger and more physical opponents, but this night was especially tough for the No. 93, who was on the ice just 15.15 attempts per game.
Then No. 93 passed to Wheeler just inside the line, but it missed, resulting in a Panthers turnover and No. 17 forcing Aleksander Barkov to pull down almost by himself. A poor substitution by Adam Fox made the problem even worse. It could have led to a penalty shot. The Rangers were probably better off for that, considering the level Igor Shesterkin showed from start to finish.
But once again, the Kreider-Zibanejad combination was thwarted. Jack Roslovic started the game on the right wing for the BFF but was replaced by Kaapo Kakko early in the second half as head coach Peter Laviolette made some line adjustments.
Moving furniture had little effect on his team’s performance. Panarin made a deft low-to-high pass to Vincent Trocheck for his eighth goal of the tournament on a power play with 8 minutes, 51 seconds to go, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead, but that was it. I know it was tough for Panarin, but No. 10 only managed one shot on goal in three attempts. He has eight shots on goal in 22 attempts this series. That’s a no-no.
Again, it’s a tough battle. They’re up against bigger, stronger teams but that’s the reality. There’s no room for excuses. Rangers need to rise to the challenge. They’ve overcome obstacle after obstacle but Paddy Tutts is something else entirely.
Think about it: After four games, the Rangers outscore the Panthers 7-5 in 5-on-5 games, but Florida leads 5-2 in special teams. This is truly a slice of an upside-down cake.
Wheeler, one of the Blueshirts’ spiritual leaders, played his first game since suffering a gruesome right leg injury against Montreal on Feb. 15. His rehabilitation effort was documented as impressive, and he played 9 minutes and 18 seconds, primarily teaming with Barclay Goodrow and Matt Rempe. Rempe had his most impactful game of the playoffs, and rightfully so, was given four shifts in the third period by Laviolette.
“It’s been a long journey back and he’s there. [his line] “He controlled the puck and got it into the offensive zone,” Laviolette said. “It’s been a while since he’s played and I thought he looked good.”
The Rangers are in disarray here. Zibane’s line is stifled. Panarin is under-producing. Special teams are an issue.
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That’s not enough to even get two more wins, let alone six.
